//Race Report: CRYSTAL PALACE
The Green Machine returned to Crystal Palace park and were treated to as much improved course from the organisers. This year's course was fast but also added a splash of technical elements such as hurdles, a drop off, off camber and twisty acorn scattered corners.
UNDER 8s and UNDER 10s
In a combined race, an ever improving Kasper made even more gains on his old adversary Lola. After a great start the pair who are usually hot on each other's heels actually had clear daylight between them! Kasper coming home 4th/12. Lola however still secured the all-important victory in her age group and has now made it three for three, already half way there to wrapping up the overall league title.
“This is why you have a race team!”
UNDER 10s
In the U10's it was a feisty affair with Kien improving ride by ride, the question was could his form continue? Yes was the answer! Kien was off to a flier and quickly settled into 4th place.
In the early stages of the race he Kien was chased hard by LEC powerhouse Tejus but as the race wore on the high cadence style of Kien won the battle vs the power grind of Tejus, who's challenge faded.
As the saying goes... ‘Spin to Win!’
As Tejus pursuit of Kien faded, Daniel’s diesel engine was warming into the race and he was gaining ground on Tejus fast. With a lap to go, Daniel passed his teammate, holding on to take 8th with Tejus rolling home 9th.
Elsewhere in the field, first-year U10 Elias was holding his own against the big boys, coming home a respectable 11th.
Further back Timothy and Vicente battled round the course finishing 18th and 22nd respectively.
UNDER 12s
In the U12's, Lucas and newcomer, Floyd were set to do battle. From the start both riders were neck a neck, both posting identical lap times. Disaster then struck for Floyd who punctured!
Luckily the green machine support crew were like an F1 pit team and before Dad had time to get out his patch and glue, Floyd was back racing on Kien’s bike... This is why you have a race team!
Lucas rolled home 18th taking the most consistent lap time of the day award, only five seconds between the fastest and slowest over five laps. For Floyd, it was 20th place but more importantly, a finish and some league points. Such a pity as his last lap time matched that of Lucas so a great battle would have been on the cards.
YOUTH
In the Youth race the fans got what they had travelled to see...
No, not Rianna and Riley wearing the dull, pirate-looking kit but Edie starting her first U14 race on the adult course!
After a frantic start and the dust and acorns settled, Ana found herself in a great position, going strong while Edie had also settled into the race and was involved in an early battle with a Southborough rider!
Although fading towards the end, Ana came home 4th in her category.
Edie meanwhile, whose brief at the start was to simply stay on the bike, finish the race and collect her league points, managed two of the three objectives.
A nasty spill meant losing some skin but in true Green Machine, never give up style, Edie remounted her ride, wiped away the tears and proceeded to push on until the finish... Amazing!
“A nasty spill meant losing some skin but in true Green Machine, never give up style - remounted, wiped away the tears and proceeded to push on until the finish... Amazing!”
Vets & Juniors.
Diego V's Dom!
Now all of the early bets had been taken and they were not actually based on who would triumph out of Diego or Dominik but... If Diego would be lapped by the race favourite, Oscar Amey! Road racer Diego certainly had the engine compared to Dominik but he also had 30 more years on the clock than Dominik so would the wear and tear catch up with him?
A frantic start as you would expect and the 200 meters of tarmac definitely suited Diego who made up a plethora of places, leading Dominik into the first corner. Despite many near spills, Diego appeared to be going all in and the gap between him and Dominik was growing. One gap that was shrinking like a scene from Honey I Shrunk The Kids was that between race leader Oscar and soon to be lapped, Diego! 3.5 laps in and a tired looking Diego was lapped by Oscar who looked like he was on an E-Bike.
Dominik was pushing hard and maintaining a 30 second gap to Diego, Dominik's legs seemed to be up for the task. Rolling home 50th after a gridding of 70th, Diego could be very proud of himself... even if he was £10 down. Dominik wasn't far behind in 54th.
Good work team!
